San Jose scale is an armored (hard) scale found on many deciduous trees and shrubs including apple, cherry, elm, maple, poplar, and willow. The scale insects are about 1/16" in diameter. The female is gray with a yellow spot in the center. The yellow crawlers are easily spread by wind, birds, or people. San Jose scale may be found on twigs, branches, leaves, and fruit. Heavily infested branches or entire trees may wilt and appear water-stressed. Severe infestations can cause twigs and branches to die back. Repeated infestations can kill trees. Infested fruit develop sunken spots surrounded by reddish areas. The scale overwinters as black immature scales on bark.

Control crawlers in mid-June or early July. Apply oil to overwintering stage just prior to bud swelling in early spring. Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall. Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.